NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 21, 2022

by | Feb 21, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 21, 2022

​The Panthers remain on course for a franchise-best season, the Hurricanes and Rangers gain points in tight Metropolitan Division, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov had a goal and two assists to lead his club over the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2. Jonathan Huberdeau collected two assists and Aaron Ekblad had a goal and an assist as the Panthers remain on track for their best record in franchise history. With 75 points, they lead the Eastern Conference and sit one point behind the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers look very much like a Stanley Cup contender. They’ve dominated throughout this season and could become an even tougher opponent if general manager Bill Zito’s rumored efforts to add a top-four defenseman prove successful.

The Carolina Hurricanes got third-period goals from Jesper Fast and Sebastian Aho to hold off the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. Antti Raanta picked up the win with a 31-save performance. The Hurricanes sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 70 points and sit three behind the Panthers in the Eastern Conference standings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are another Eastern club that must be considered among this season’s Cup contenders. It’ll be interesting to see if GM Don Waddell makes a move or two before the March 21 trade deadline to bolster his roster for the postseason.

New York Rangers forwards Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome each had a goal and an assist to lead their club to a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. Igor Shesterkin kicked out 29 shots for the Rangers (69 points), who moved within one point of the second-place Penguins in the Metropolitan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of teams that could be busy at the trade deadline, the Rangers have plenty of deadline cap space and depth in prospects and promising players to swing a significant deal or two by March 21. It remains to be seen if GM Chris Drury will take advantage of it.

The Minnesota Wild thumped the Edmonton Oilers 7-3, handing the latter their first loss under interim coach Jay Woodcroft. Kevin Fiala scored two goals and added an assist as the Wild (65 points) moved one point ahead of the St. Louis Blues into second place in the Central Division. The Oilers remain in third place in the Pacific Division with 59 points. They’d won five straight under Woodcroft prior to this contest.

Jack Eichel tallied his first goal with the Vegas Golden Knights in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Logan Thompson got the win with a 35-save performance. Eichel and Max Pacioretty each had a goal and an assist. The Golden Knights (62 points) move two points behind the first-place Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division while the Sharks (49 points) are 10 points out of the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks could soon become sellers in the trade market if they can’t gain ground in the standings over the next two or three weeks. That could stoke the trade speculation about Sharks center Tomas Hertl if he and the Sharks fail to reach an agreement on a contract extension.

The Dallas Stars fail to gain ground in the race for the final Western playoff spot after dropping a 3-1 decision to the Arizona Coyotes. Scott Wedgewood made 32 saves while Nick Schmaltz had a goal and two assists for the Coyotes. With 56 points, the Stars are three behind the Los Angeles Kings, who hold the final wild-card berth.

Goaltender J-F Berube made 33 saves in his first NHL start in four years to backstop the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Buffalo Sabres 7-3. Dean Kukan and Brendan Gaunce each had three-point performances while Patrik Laine picked up two assists.

Speaking of goalies getting wins in their first start in nearly four years, Andrew Hammond made 30 saves as the Montreal Canadiens nipped the New York Islanders 3-2. Cole Caufield and Rem Pitlick tallied in the shootout as the Canadiens have won two straight for the first time this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That loss may be the final nail in the coffin for the Islanders (43 points) as they sit 17 points behind the Boston Bruins for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. They have four games in hand on the Bruins but this appears to be a bridge too far for the Isles, who are likely to become sellers by the March trade deadline.

IN OTHER NEWS…

LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS: Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf missed his last two games with a lower-body injury.

NHL.COM: The league’s department of player safety fined Edmonton Oilers defenseman Markus Niemelainen $2,043.75 for cross-checking Winnipeg Jets forward Kristian Vesalainen on Saturday.

TSN: One day after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ryan Dzingel has been placed on waivers. If he clears, he’ll be sent to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 20, 2022

by | Feb 20, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 20, 2022

​The Flames extend their points streak to nine games, the Avalanche widen their lead atop the overall standings, the Leafs and Coyotes make a trade, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Calgary Flames remain red hot as they picked up their ninth straight victory by downing the Seattle Kraken 2-1, spoiling Mark Giordano’s return to Calgary for the first time since being selected by the Kraken in last year’s expansion draft. Elias Lindholm extended his goal streak to seven games with the tie-breaking goal in the third period. Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk each finished the night with a goal and an assist as the Flames (64 points) hold a four-point lead over the Vegas Golden Knights for first place in the Pacific Division.

Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

Third-period goals by Alex Newhook and Mikko Rantanen lifted the Colorado Avalanche over the Buffalo Sabres 5-3. With 76 points, the Avs hold a three-point lead over the Florida Panthers for the top spot in the overall standings. Tage Thompson tallied all three goals for the Sabres.

The Edmonton Oilers got their fifth straight win under interim coach Jay Woodcroft by doubling up the Winnipeg Jets 4-2. Oilers captain Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists to become the first player to reach the 70-point plateau this season. The Oilers (59 points) have moved within a point of the second-place Golden Knights in the Pacific Division while the Jets (52 points) sit seven points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Woodcroft’s hiring has given what had been a slumping Oilers club a timely shot in the arm. The players are all buying into his system, especially those who played for Woodcroft when he was coaching their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. They’re not trying to rely solely on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to carry the offense. Other players are getting more minutes plus the team has improved its defensive game.

St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich scored twice while goaltender Ville Husso kicked out 34 shots in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Robert Thomas and David Perron each picked up two assists as the Blues moved ahead of the Minnesota Wild into second place in the Central Division with 64 points. William Nylander tallied two goals for the Leafs, who sit in third place in the Atlantic Division with 67 points.

David Pastrnak’s overtime goal lifted the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman made 32 saves and defenseman Mike Reilly had two assists. Boston holds the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 60 points.

Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty and Adrian Kempe each had three points as the Los Angeles Kings overcame a 3-1 deficit to drop the Arizona Coyotes 5-3. Kopitar had three assists while Doughty and Kempe each scored two goals and collected an assist. The Kings hold the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 59 points.

The Anaheim Ducks remain two points behind the Kings after snapping a four-game skid with a 7-4 drubbing of the Vancouver Canucks. Adam Henrique and Nicolas Deslauriers tallied two goals each while rookie star Trevor Zegras picked up three assists. Elias Pettersson had a goal and two assists for the Canucks, who remain seven points back of the Ducks.

HEADLINES

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs traded winger Nick Ritchie and a conditional pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and winger Ryan Dzingel. The conditional pick received by the Coyotes will be either the Leafs’ 2023 third-rounder or their 2025 second-rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ritchie signed a two-year deal ($2.5 million cap hit) with the Leafs this season but failed to play up to expectations and was eventually demoted to their AHL affiliate. This move brings in two affordable depth rentals for the Leafs in Dzingel ($1.1 million) and Lyubushkin ($1.35 million) who should contribute to their roster right away. Ritchie, meanwhile, will get an opportunity for more playing time with the rebuilding Coyotes.

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was fined $5,000.00 by the league’s department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct during Friday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year contract extension with an annual average value of $800K.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An affordable depth signing for the Penguins, who evidently liked what they’ve seen of Ruhwedel’s performance over the course of this season. He’s helped to improve the Penguins’ penalty kill.

MLIVE.COM: Gemel Smith is heading back to the Tampa Bay Lightning as they reclaimed him off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings had claimed Smith on Jan. 19. He saw action in three games for Detroit, skating with his younger brother Givani.

THE ATHLETIC: The Anaheim Ducks have reportedly parted ways with assistant general manager Dave Nonis. The move is said to be part of the front-office restructuring under new GM Pat Verbeek. Nonis had a year remaining on his contract.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers yesterday announced Emile Francis passed at age 95. Nicknamed “The Cat”, he played for the Rangers as a goaltender and later served as head coach and general manager. He also worked for the St. Louis Blues and Hartford Whalers and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982. He holds the Rangers’ coaching records for games (654) and wins (342), as well as playoff games (75) and wins (34).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Francis built the Rangers into a powerhouse during the late-60s and early-70s, which saw them reach the semifinals four times and the 1972 Stanley Cup Final. Their rivalry with the Boston Bruins during that time was must-watch hockey. My condolences to his family, friends and the Rangers’ organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 19, 2022

by | Feb 19, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 19, 2022

​The Panthers and Hurricanes continue their chase for the Presidents’ Trophy, Brad Marchand’s six-game suspension is upheld and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers kept pace with the Colorado Avalanche in the Presidents Trophy chase with a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. Forward Mason Marchment tallied his first career NHL hat trick while Jonathan Huberdeau, Anthony Duclair, Anton Lundell and Aaron Ekblad each collected two points. The Panthers (74 points) are one point behind the Avalanche in the overall standings. Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello each had a goal and an assist for the Wild (63 points), who remain one point ahead of the St. Louis Blues for second place in the Central Division.

Florida Panthers winger Mason Marchment (NHL Images).

Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov scored twice and collected an assist as his club held off the Nashville Predators 5-3. With the win, the Hurricanes (70 points) moved ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for third in the overall standings with a game in hand. The Predators, meanwhile, have lost four straight games and hold the first wild-card berth in the Western Conference with 60 points, three ahead of the Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes center Vincent Trocheck left the game in the first period with an upper-body injury. No word yet as to the severity of his injury.

Speaking of the Kings, they overcame 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to nip the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime. Adrian Kempe scored twice, including the game-winner, as the Kings (57 points) hold a one-point lead over the Dallas Stars for the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Golden Knights winger Max Pacioretty tallied twice while teammate Jack Eichel collected an assist for his first point of the season. Vegas sits in second place in the Pacific Division with 60 points, two behind the Calgary Flames.

The Stars, meanwhile, beat the Chicago Blackhawks 1-0 on a shootout goal by Jacob Peterson. Wild goaltender Jake Oettinger turned in a 34-save shutout.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars defenseman John Klingberg and winger Joe Pavelski have become fixtures in the trade rumor mill of late. However, The Athletic’s Sean Shapiro recently suggested pumping the breaks on that speculation. “Dallas is in playoff race with GM on hot seat who needs to make the playoffs with an owner desperate for playoff revenue. They aren’t a seller.”

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand’s six-game suspension has been upheld on appeal by league commissioner Gary Bettman. He received the suspension for roughing and high-sticking Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry on Feb. 8.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: What apparently set Marchand off was Jarry chirping him by yelling, “How about that f**kin’ save!” Regardless, his long suspension history evidently factored into this latest one as well as Bettman’s decision.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers winger Jesse Puljujarvi has been sidelined for four weeks with an upper-body injury.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens made two more front-office additions, hiring former NHL star Vincent Lecavalier as a special advisor to hockey operations and Nick Bobrov as co-director of amateur scouting. Bobrov spent six seasons as director of European scouting with the New York Rangers.

TSN: Forward Adam Brooks is on the move again, claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs by the Winnipeg Jets. Earlier this week, the Leafs had claimed Brooks from the Vegas Golden Knights, who had claimed him in November from the Montreal Canadiens, who had claimed him from the Leafs in October.

NHL.COM: The 2022 IIHF World Junior Under-20 Championships will be held this summer in Alberta after being postponed in December due to COVID-19. The rosters will remain the same regardless of whether players turn 20 before the new tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s great news for those youngsters, a number of whom are or will become NHL prospects.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 18, 2022

by | Feb 18, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 18, 2022

​The Oilers get their fourth straight win under interim coach Jay Woodcroft, Martin St. Louis gets his first win as Canadiens coach, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Leon Draisaitl scored twice as the Edmonton Oilers picked up their fourth straight win under interim coach Jay Woodcroft by thumping the Anaheim Ducks 7-3. Draisaitl leads the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy with 35 goals. Connor McDavid, Evander Kane, Warren Foegele and Derek Ryan each had two points for the Oilers, who sit in third place in the Pacific Division with 57 points. The Ducks, meanwhile, dropped their third straight and remain behind the Los Angeles Kings for the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 55 points.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a game of two teams going in different directions. The Oilers are surging since their coaching change while the Ducks have slid out of a playoff spot and are in danger of falling further behind if they don’t reverse their fortunes soon.

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews tallied his 33rd goal of the season and Jack Campbell made 45 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, handing the latter their first loss in their last seven road games. Matthews also picked up an assist and Mitch Marner collected two helpers. The Leafs (67 points) are three points back of the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division while the Penguins sit atop the Metropolitan Division with 70 points.

The Montreal Canadiens picked up their first win under interim coach Martin St. Louis by beating the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in overtime. Cole Caufield tallied the tying and winning goals as the Habs snapped a 10-game losing skid. The Blues (62 points) are one point behind the second-place Minnesota Wild in the Central Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have a better chance of winning this year’s draft lottery than they have of reaching the playoffs. Nevertheless, they’ve been more competitive since St. Louis took over as coach. Caufield in particular has thrived under his new bench boss, scoring four goals in his last four games after managing just one in his previous 30.

Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor each had a goal and an assist as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Seattle Kraken 5-3. Josh Morrissey scored the winning goal by snapping a 3-3 tie in the third period. With 52 points, the Jets moved within three points of the Kings for the final Western wild-card spot.

The Vancouver Canucks also reached 52 points as J.T. Miller’s overtime goal lifted them over the San Jose Sharks 5-4. Miller, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes each had two points for the Canucks. Hughes returned to the lineup following a 10-day stint on the COVID protocol list. Sharks winger Timo Meier scored twice and picked up an assist.

Two third-period goals by Garnet Hathaway rallied the Washington Capitals to a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Hathaway finished the night with three points as the Capitals (65 points) widened their lead over the Boston Bruins for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Speaking of the Bruins, they dropped a 4-1 decision to the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves for the win while Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson and Noah Dobson each had a goal and an assist. The Bruins (58 points) hold the second Eastern wild-card berth.

The Detroit Red Wings kept their thin playoff hopes alive by defeating the New York Rangers 3-2. Thomas Greiss made 37 saves and Pius Suter scored the winner in the shootout. The Wings are six points behind the Bruins, who have three games in hand.

Patrik Laine tallied his first hat trick with the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 7-4 drubbing of the Chicago Blackhawks. Laine is riding an eight-game points streak.

Goaltender Craig Anderson lost to his former team as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 on third-period goals by Austin Watson and Brady Tkachuk.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Nashville Predators head coach John Hynes was fined $25,000.00 by the league for “inappropriate conduct” following Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. Hynes was berating officials from the bench at the end of the game.

Calgary Flames forward Adam Ruzicka was fined $2,004.17 for elbowing Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk on Wednesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In the NHL, a coach telling off officials following a game is considered more egregious than a player attempting to injure an opponent.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman Patrik Nemeth was placed on injured reserve due to lingering effects of COVID-19.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars defenseman Andrej Sekera was placed on IR with an upper-body injury.

TSN: The NHL and NHL Players Association met Thursday to discuss plans for staging a World Cup of Hockey in 2024.

THE PROVINCE: Former Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen has elected for a jury trial in his sexual assault case. He is currently playing for KHL team Spartak Moscow.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2022

by | Feb 17, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2022

​The Avalanche spoil Jack Eichel’s Golden Knights debut, the Flames pick up their eighth straight win, the Panthers down the Hurricanes in a possible playoff preview, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche spoiled Jack Eichel’s debut with the Vegas Golden Knights with a 2-0 victory. Darcy Kuemper made 29 saves for the shutout while Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen scored in the third period. Eichel saw 17:32 of ice time, registered one shot and picked up four PIMs. With 74 points, the Avalanche holds a three-point lead over the Florida Panthers atop the overall standings while the Golden Knights (59 points) sit three points behind the first-place Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eichel will need time to return fully to game shape after having not played in nearly a year. He will improve as he returns to form in the coming games.

Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

Speaking of the red-hot Flames, they picked up their eighth straight win by thumping the Anaheim Ducks 6-2. Elias Lindholm stretched his points streak to six games with two goals and an assist while Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk and Rasmus Andersson each had three points. The Ducks have 55 points and sit behind the Los Angeles Kings for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference. The Kings also have 55 points but hold two games in hand over the Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade rumors could increase about the Ducks if they fail to halt their current slide. Defenseman Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson and winger Rickard Rakell are slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer. They’ve already surfaced several times in this season’s rumor mill and we could start hearing more about them as trade candidates.

Aaron Ekblad scored in overtime to give the Florida Panthers a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in what could be a preview of a potential playoff series between these two clubs. Panthers winger Sam Reinhart scored at 19:11 of the third period to set the stage for Ekblad’s winning goal while teammates Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau each had two points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the most entertaining game of the night. It was a close contest between two potential Stanley Cup contenders.

Mark Scheifele scored a natural hat trick and picked up an assist as the Winnipeg Jets tamed the Minnesota Wild 6-3. Blake Wheeler had four assists for the Jets (50 points), who moved within five points of the final Western wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets need a more consistent effort if they hope to gain ground in the playoff race. They’ve won just five of their last 15 games.

TSN: Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens was fined $2,235.42 by the NHL department of player safety for cross-checking New York Islanders center Brock Nelson on Tuesday.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs claimed forward Adam Brooks off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2022

by | Feb 16, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2022

​Milestone performances for Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin and much more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby tallied his 500th career NHL goal while teammate Kris Letang scored in overtime in a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Crosby joins Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin as the second active player to reach the 500-goal plateau and the second in Penguins history. Crosby and Letang finished the night with a goal and an assist as the Penguins move into second place in the Eastern Conference with 70 points.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The next active player in reach of 500 goals is Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos with 462.

Speaking of Ovechkin, he scored twice in a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators to reach the 30-goal mark for the 16th time in his career, sitting second to Hall-of-Famer Mike Gartner (17 seasons). Capitals coach Peter Laviolette picked up his 700th career win as the Capitals (63 points) opened a five-point lead over the Boston Bruins for the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. With 60 points, the Predators dropped to the first Western Conference wild-card berth.

Meanwhile, the Bruins dropped a 2-1 decision to the New York Rangers as K’Andre Miller netted the winner in the ninth round of the shootout. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves in regulation and overtime as his club sits third in the Metropolitan Division with 66 points.

The Tampa Bay Lightning scored five straight goals to overcome a 3-1 deficit and down the New Jersey Devils 6-3. Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Pat Maroon and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare each had a goal and an assist for the Lightning, who take over first place in the Eastern Conference with 70 points due to a game in hand over the Penguins. Devils rookie Dawson Mercer had a goal and two assists.

Joe Pavelski scored twice and set up two others to lead the Dallas Stars over the Colorado Avalanche 4-1, snapping the latter’s 19-game points streak. Teammate Tyler Seguin had a goal and two assists as the Stars (54 points) moved within one point of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. The Avalanche, meanwhile, remains atop the overall standings with 72 points.

Speaking of that wild-card berth, the Los Angeles Kings dropped into that spot after falling 5-2 to the Edmonton Oilers. Connor McDavid and Evander Kane each had a goal and an assist while teammate Kailer Yamamoto netted the winning goal by snapping a 2-2 tie. Both teams have 55 points but the Oilers moved into third place in the Pacific Division with a game in hand. The Oilers have won three straight under new head coach Jay Woodcroft.

Tyler Toffoli scored in his first game with the Calgary Flames in a 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Flames acquired Toffoli on Monday. Elias Lindholm had a goal and an assist as Calgary has won seven straight to take over first place in the Pacific Division with 60 points.

St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice and collected an assist to beat the Ottawa Senators 5-2. Robert Thomas had a goal and two assists while Pavel Buchnevich picked up three assists. The Blues hold third place in the Central Division with 61 points.

The Buffalo Sabres got two goals by Victor Olofsson in a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders. Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs each had two points for the Sabres. Kyle Palmieri scored twice for the Islanders.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

THE SCORE: Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot missed Tuesday’s game against the Blues as he remains sore from a hit by Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson on Sunday.

TSN: The Nashville Predators signed defenseman Mark Borowiecki to a one-year, $900K contract extension.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks will return to full capacity at Rogers Arena on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks as provincial indoor restrictions are eased this week.